I watch a lot of lectures, which is now easy because of the online lecture
series which I reviewed a couple of weeks ago. One of the most frequent
questions asked to professional magicians is how they approach a table or
begin their performance.

This is a legitimate question, as it may seem daunting to most on
beginning a magic performance, especially to strangers. The consensus
opinion is to do something quick and visual. You want to demonstrate your
abilities as a magician as quickly as possible. For this reason I can think of
no better trick to perform, than Split Second.

The effect is simple. You display a dollar bill. In less than a second it
changes to a deck of cards. You then open the box and take out a regular
deck. In the time it takes you to snap your fingers, you have proven
yourself as a real magician.

The gimmick is very clever and will take you a couple of minutes to put
together the trick. But once assembled, it will last you hundreds of
performances.

The handling in performing the trick is very simple to do and after a few
minutes of practice, you will have no problems performing this in the real
world. I have been performing it for about a month at the bar and it gets a
shocked response after every performance. Regulars are now bringing in
their friends to see "the dollar bill trick."

Performance Tips:

1. In the instructions they teach you how to take the bill out of your
wallet before performing the trick. This is very clever, especially if you
combine the performance with card in wallet where their signed card ends
up in the same wallet.

However, I usually perform this trick without using a wallet as there is
less fumbling or chance to flash the gimmick to the audience.

2. Speaking of flashing, when practicing the trick be aware that if you
are not careful you will expose the gimmick during the performance. This is
easily eliminated if you slightly turn your body to the right and keep the bill
tilted downward until the transformation. You will see what I mean if you
practice in front of a mirror a couple of times.

This is not only a visual trick, it is fun to perform. It also has great
impact on your audience.